Qualifications Needed To Become A Pilot

qualifications

Employers only let you take their large metallic airborne vehicles up into the sky if you have something a little bit more than the standard 20 meters swimming certificate you got when you were eight.

God Dammit.

God Dammit.

So what do you need, and what are good extras to help you learn to fly, and to improve your (currently steamrollered wafer thin) chances of getting employed at an aerially based organisation? Read on for more details on this truly exciting subject.

This is a general guide for what to do, as whether your ultimate goal is an airline pilot job or crop duster – they all need the same licence in order to get paid for it!



What qualifications will help for training?

This is a question that many students ask when choosing their A levels, and to a lessor extent when choosing a degree course. The ATPL Theory exams (about which we have written a whole electrifying section) are the part where there is the most book based learning on the twisty road to a commercial pilot licence.

These exams are not that hard, although there is a lot to learn. While A-levels and degrees in the murky worlds of physics, maths, engineering etc. are going to make life easier while studying for the ATPLs, they are certainly not required.

The most hardcore maths is in principles of flight, and is just trigonometry. GCSE level maths (mental maths, Pythagoras, graph reading etc.) is used alot in these exams across all of the subjects though, so while you may not need to know all the content of A-level maths (I have yet to find a use for poisson distribution or the equally arousing Cartesian coordinate system for the Euclidean plane in my airborne adventures for example) the confidence it will give you with numbers might be something to consider. Unless you are already Rain Man.

Physics is probably a more handy subject to get, as electro-magnetic waves, mechanics, electronics and a load of other stuff covered in both GCSE and A-level physics courses make their welcomed appearance across many of the 14 ATPL subjects. This will give you a more in depth understanding of what exactly is going on.

Again, you can still pass the ATPLs without these A-levels if you don’t want to do them/are crap at them. It would be better to get an A in needlework than an F in physics for example.

As Mrs Jenkins elected to do

Mrs Jenkins was bad at physics, but enjoyed sewing kittens onto cushions.

However, if that is the case, you need to think hard about whether this is the correct career for you, as you need to have a good grasp on physics and maths to do your job in a non crashy way. If you don’t enjoy them – you ain’t gonna enjoy that aspect of piloting too much.

Degree wise, you can pretty much do whatever you want. Maths or physics degree is well beyond requirements for piloting – the only thing that might help a little is an aeronautical engineering degree but only if you actually want to do this. Don’t just do a degree in that because you want to get away with falling asleep in a handful of principle of flight lessons.

Do a degree that you enjoy in whatever subject you want. It may even be a good idea to get a degree in a subject completely unrelated to aviation, as the industry at the moment is not exactly a peachy industry, and you will have something to fall back on. Perhaps get a degree in economics, they seem to be doing very well at the moment too.



What qualifications will help for getting a job?

Airline wise; you generally need at least two A-levels as a minimum. What subjects these are is up to you.
Again, maths and physics are good checks in the box, as it shows you have at least some aptitude at the skills that will be required of you every day. Assuming you get decent grades anyway – an A in Psychology is better than an E in Maths (perhaps if you would get an E in maths you should not do it. At least they then remain ignorant of your less than stellar number skills).

In job interviews, they are looking for a well rounded, confident individual who is future captain material. By well rounded I do not mean obese. Make sure you do plenty of extra-curricular activities throughout your time at school like joining Air Training Corps, doing Duke of Edinburgh award, joining the schools bands etc. This will look a lot better than simply handing in a blank CV with three A’s at A level printed in the middle. You also need to be somebody who you can sit next to for a five hour sector without driving the other pilot insane with tedium.

So all that can be summed up as:

  • Do Maths and Physics if you want to or if you will do well in them.
  • Otherwise do whatever you want!


That would have saved us all a lot of time.

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117 Responses to “Qualifications Needed To Become A Pilot”

  1. G says:

    Hi profpilot
    At the moment I’ve opted for less ’scientific’ A-levels (classics,history,literature and german) with the intention of going into something like law. But aviation/commercial piloting is something that interests me (I’m addicted to flight sim games but I’m sure that’s irrelevant) and am just wondering whether in the future it could still be a possibility. I have 10 a stars and 2as at gcse but appreciate my a-levels aren’t extremely conventional to becoming a pilot. It is still an ambition to read something like history at uni, and maybe a pilot career is maybe more of a dream than a reality, but can you suggest if it could still be a possibility at a later stage if my career plans change, and what is the sort of route I could consider should I want to (dramatically) change career.
    Thanks, g

  2. profpilot says:

    G,

    It doesn’t really matter what subjects you have – and in reality the only sort of level you are going to have to work to in your ATPL theory exams is GCSE level maths and science (see this article), so it sounds like you’ll be fine from an understanding point of view. Like it says in the article; you don’t need to do any specific subjects either so those choices will also be fine.

    If you have the insane urge to do aviationally related endeavors then you can go about it two ways: modular or integrated. You can see an article on that here, as well as further information on those two routes.

    Any other questions, just fire them across this very bow.

    Sam
    (aka, profpilot head honcho).

  3. Vik says:

    Hi Sam,

    As so many people it’s been a childhood dream for me to become an airline Pilot. I’m turning 30 in a couple of months and I’m now looking for a complete career change. I’m looking to join a Pilot Training college in January to start the CCAT integrated programme which will after a lot of hard work qualify me to work for airlines. My concern is I have no A’ levels, will this be a problem for me and make me un-employable? I did my GCSE’s and passed all 9 with B grades in Maths and Physics, I then started my A’ levels but after 1 year I went into business, since then I have worked all over the world, with companies consulting in property investments. I have a lot of work experience and my CV supports this, however will this help to seal a job for an airline? I don’t want to pay so much money for the course to find out just because I do not have A’ levels I’m un-employable.

    Thanks and regards,

    Vik

  4. profpilot says:

    Vik,

    Well, you’ll probably not like this reply, but to be honest; I’ve no idea. I can’t think that an airline would turn round to you at age 30, having got all the work experience you have and say “You can’t fly in our planes, you don’t have any A-levels”. I can perhaps see them saying “You can’t fly in our planes, you are a snivelling little wannabe”, but that’s just my experience.

    You can ask whatever flight school you are going to, but they’re going to have a vested interest in getting you through their very expensive front doors. The best thing I can suggest is finding some kind of neutral party to answer that – although I strongly suspect that in this case, a lack of A-levels would not be a problem.

    Sorry I can’t be more help. I am a mere seafood waiter.

    Sam
    (profpilot.co.uk head honcho)

  5. nokuphiwa says:

    hi
    my son is doing matric this and he want to become a pilot and doesnt do physics and doing maths literature but in private pilot school that i have contacts subjects are not an issue as long you have english and medical fit but they are extremely expensive at the moment i am busy looking for the bursaries for him otherwise i have to take some loan.
    i need to be sure that private pilot school are worth it or not since i dont have more information on this departmet
    thanks
    concern mother
    nokuphiwa

  6. profpilot says:

    Nokuphiwa,

    You don’t say where you’re from, but it would appear you’re from the South Africa region. I can’t say I’m a massive expert in South African aviation (or indeed any aviation), but certainly up here in the UK, there’s no need for physics in order to become a pilot, although some of the subject content is helpful.

    I know as much about South African aviation bursaries as I do about the meaning of life – but I would suggest either contacting the South African Aviation Authority, or even a local flight school, and they may have more information about bursaries/scholarships in your area.

    Sorry I can’t be of more help, but I hope my meager advice bears at least some fruit.

  7. Raphael says:

    hello profpilot. i think that if you would be looking into a commercial airline career MATHS & PHYSICS are vital but also a popular language like french or german. An easy humanities subject like geography(which is pretty obvious). & finally on the side an engineering subject. Ive also joined the Air Training Corps & gained a Btec in aviation studies so also try & get involved in a local flying club or something.
    yours sincerly Raphel
    hope this post helps

  8. Asif says:

    hi Profpilot, i dont know if u remember me but i asked you a few questions, a couple of months before, well i have have another one for you, if you dont mind.

    Anyway i wanted to say that i wish to have a scholarship for the ppl and im 16 and still in school, i wanted to do my ppl in the summer the 3 months we get off after GCSEs, do you think i will be able to get a scholarship at my age if i apply, and also i think i am predicted quite decent grades aswell, but the real thing and predicted grades i know are 2 different things!!!

    And also i have 1 more question regarding employment looking at u, who knows alot about becoming a pilot,and you say that you are working in a sea-food restaurant (PLEASE DONT MIND, I KNOW IM GETTING A BIT PERSONAL) is that your choice or cant u find a job, is it that hard to get a job in the aviation industry or are you sick of flying
    and also as soon as i have finished all my licences and everything required to be a pilot (HOPEFULLY, TOUCH WOOD) how will i get a job with rubbish hours like a few hundred or so?????
    thanks a million :)
    Kind Regards
    Asif

    p.s if you dont mind me asking how much hours do you have!!!???

  9. profpilot says:

    Hi again Asif!

    I remember every member of the profpilot.co.uk user base, as they are all esteemed and cherished – so of course I recall you!

    You are still young, which will make getting a scholarship easier (as many of those available out there are for sprightly youths). To take a peek at all the scholarships I know of in this country, as well as any requirements for applying then you can look at the profpilot scholarships page.

    I see that you have got the subtle hint that I am currently engaged in the thrilling vocational arena of seafood waitering (I DON’T MIND, YOU’RE NOT GETTING ALL THAT PERSONAL). I’m pretty much pleased to have any kind of job right now – I think that the 18-24 unemployment rate was near 25% a couple of weeks ago, which ain’t exactly bunny and sunshine. By the time you’re finished with education though, this pesky recession will hopefully have blown over so you shouldn’t have to worry about that. Same goes for pilot jobs. At the moment though, cripple-Royal-Mail-by-sending-thousands-of-CVs doesn’t seem to be working for most people when it comes to plane monitoring jobs. From what I’ve seen, getting a pilot job is about either being in the right place at the right time, or knowing the right people. The sending out CV route isn’t working for me at the moment, largely due to the fact that I haven’t flown since my IR flight exam two and a bit years ago (so I wouldn’t use me as a guidestick. In answer to your question, I have 229.5 hours).

    It’s used to be quite possible to get a job with a few hundred hours (and indeed airlines have to have so many few hundred odd hours jobs going when offering jobs out); I can’t see that would change in the future. There is hope yet!

  10. spencer says:

    hi guys i have a few questions:

    i do 3 subjects at A level, Business, English and maths and hope to get 2 A*s and an A/B. i go to private school and want to be a pilot so bad i will do anything. i am very physically fit, play rugby and football and go to the gym. i have excellent coordination. the problem i have is i dont know how to get IN to piloting. do you do piloting at uni? i keep hearing about an ATPL test or something, can you explain this to me, is it at uni? what about piloting is so expensive?

    next question is please tell me which extra curricular activities that would increase my chances of becoming one, as i will do it outside of school.
    thanks

  11. profpilot says:

    Hi Spencer!

    You need to looks here, here, and here!

    EDIT: Forgot that I wrote this article too. Probably more helpful.

    Click around the links, and any other questions, just ask!

  12. aaa says:

    what is the height needed to be a pilot??????

  13. profpilot says:

    There are no requirements in the medical side of things (and therefore, you could get a licence issued whatever your height).

    It really depends on the type of flying you want to do. Massive people that physically can’t fit into a Cessna 150 might have to cough up for training in a Piper Warrior for example.

    Some companies have minimums/maximums for their aircrew, so if you have a particular company in mind, research that particular company. Basically it boils down to being able to operate the aircraft safely – meaning that you have to be able to reach all the pedals/ not get your freakishly large knees tickling the top of the cabin.

  14. Tom says:

    I am a well motivated and conscientious year 11 student, aiming to get A*’s and As in my GCSEs. In the upcoming weeks I am expected to decide what subjects to take at a-level and complete an aplication form to sixth form. It is likely that I will choose Maths, Further Maths, Physics and History.

    At present, I am taking flying lessons at Goodwood Aerodrome in order to get my PPL; I am learning to fly a Cessna 172SP, and in March, will be completing my first solo flight. My ambition is to become a private jet pilot, in Australia in fact, after obtaining my pilot’s liscences via my parent’s money :) Any advice you may have in helping me fulfil this is ambition of mine is much appreciated; I understand this is a very competitive career. What other suggestions may you give in terms of how I become a commercial pilot after completing university?

    Thankyou!

  15. profpilot says:

    Sounds like you’re doing a good job so far! Especially the flight training. That helps when you want to become a pilot.

    Check out the following articles for a guide on various aviational things that you might find useful:
    How to Become a Pilot – for an all in one guide to the various licences and how to get them.
    How Hard is it to Become a Pilot? – might be of interest to see how much of your A levels will come into play in the sky.

    Just worth mentioning that if you’re wanting to fly in Australia, then you’re going to need different kinds of licences that the ones talked about on this site. These are all JAA (European) licences, but to fly in Australia, you will need CASA licences. To get these, you can either get a JAA ATPL and convert (which will take longer and be more expensive) – or you can do all your training in Australia as CASA straight off the bat.

    Hope that helps!

    PP

  16. Jordan says:

    Hello!

    I have recently moved back from America to England. I have don’t have any American qualifications because you achieve them at 18 in the American highschool qualification. I am an American/UK citizen and I have loved flying ever since I stepped into my dads Mitsubishi Mu-2 when I was four. I want to become a commercial pilot this is my main goal! But since I moved back to the UK I have no GCSE’s and no A-Levels. Currently I am doing a GCSE in Maths and English. I am also enrolled in an NVQ in business level 2 worth 4 GCSEs so in total I would have 6 GCSEs. I can’t do any A-levels right now and it looks like I can’t do a degree in Aviation but I can do one in business if I complete the BTEC level 3 in business course. If I got a degree in business and my ATPL will airlines look bad on me because I have no A-Levels??? If so what can I do to make them look great on me. I am also doing the duke of edinburugh award.

    Thanks !!!
    Jordan

  17. profpilot says:

    Hi Jordan,

    To be honest, I don’t actually know what the deal with that would be. My guess is that they would see that you have educational standards above A-level level, and act accordingly.

    If you’re worried, then you can take A-levels as a distance learning course. The workload isn’t too great if you only take one over the year, although with many of the science ones you need access to lab equipment (which isn’t usually that hard, but an extra hurdle to jump). By the sounds of things, you’re already doing extra-curricular activities, which always look good on a CV – so carry on with those.

    Sorry I can’t be more help, but like I said, if you have a degree I find it hard to believe an airline would turn around to you and say that you don’t have a high enough qualification to fly their expensive metal shiny fly fly things. Or words to that effect.

    PP

  18. Asif says:

    HI, lol its me AGAIN ( I JUST DONT STOP DO I!!!!) I AM REALLY CONCERED ABOUT NOTHING ELSE MORE THAN A JOB AT THE END OF IT!!! I AM WORRYING ABOUT GCSES AND A-LEVELS TOO. IM PREDICTED QUITE DECENT GRADES INCLUDING A*S IN MATHS, HISTORY, B IN SCIENCES (PHY, CHEM, AND BIO)
    AND MANY OTHERS!!
    SOON I WILL START MY PPL, (IN SUMMER 2011 :) )
    I REALLY DONT WANT TO WASTE MY MONEY WITH ALL THESE LICENCES AND THEN BE STOCKING SHELVES FOR MORRISONS ;) !!
    BUT SERIOUSLY AS SOON AS I FINISH MY LICENCES AT ABOUT 250 HRS OF FLIGHT IS THERE ANY JOBS!!!!!
    IVE SEARCHED SOME JOBS, AND THERE ALL ASKING 4 ABOUT 2000/3000 HRS OF FLIGHT!!!
    THE REASON FOR MY CONCERN IS I DONT WANT TO WASTE MY PARENTS MONEY, AND AS IM STILL YOUNG I HAVE CHOICES TO MAKE :)
    VERY GRATEFUL
    ASIF

  19. raj says:

    hey,

    well i don’t have physics and maths in gcse level but basically i do know how they work i have certificate in mechanical engineering. is it possible for me 2 become a pilot or should i do extra class and get my gcse level in maths and physics !!

  20. profpilot says:

    I’m afraid there’s never a guarantee of a job at the end of it all. While not quite as bad as it has been in the dismal depths of recession, it is still very competitive to get a pilot job and quite often in order to get your foot in the door of employment, you need to know someone in the industry. I’ve trained with quite a few people, some of whom that have jobs flying, some of whom have jobs in another aviationally related job on the ground, and some of whom (like myself before i went to uni) who are doing waitering/shelf stacking. Quite often, getting a job is all down to luck.

    Don’t think that this is just in the thrilling arena of aviation though – I’m 23 now, which means that many people who I went to school with are now finishing their degrees. Unfortunately, many of them are finding it hard to get a job in any way related to their newly acquired piece of parchment. Bit of a crap time to be young really…

  21. profpilot says:

    Nope, you don;t need to do these GCSEs. You’re taught how to do all the required maths and physics within the modules, having done GCSE just means it is slightly easier to grasp first time around.

  22. RAVI THEJ says:

    i m studying BACHELOR OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT(BBM) 2 year but i want to become a pilot is there any chances that i can join a pilot if yes please mail me

  23. profpilot says:

    Of course there is a chance to become a pilot – have a look at my article on How Hard is it to Become a Pilot? – that should tell you about the level of maths and physics you need.

    Really, if you have the drive, determination (and perhaps most importantly, the cash) to train, then you can get the CPL/ME/IR/MCC.

  24. suthan says:

    hi guys who want to be a pailot, you must read this. to make your lifr easy and happy.

  25. Adam says:

    Hello profpilot, i am only young (14) but would love to become a pilot and it has been my ambition for a long time. I took physics and chemistry for my sciences and had to take maths and english. Are they the right subjects to work ? I have also took Graphical communication, french, Practical Craft Skills P.E and history. thankyou very much .

  26. profpilot says:

    Adam,

    I hope you’re not stressing about (what I assume is) your year 10 subject choices! First of all, I suggest having a gander at this page, which talks a little bit about the level of maths and physics you need. As you can see from that, physics and maths at GCSE form a good solid base from which to launch yourself into the world of aviation. As for the other subjects, it doesn’t really matter what they are as long as you enjoy them! There is no right and wrong set of subjects to take – and that goes for you A-level choices too, as you will see on that article I linked to.

    Hope that helps – let me know if you have any other questions!

    PP

  27. Adam says:

    Thankyou very much profpilot for responding to my comment. The site you recommended was very good. I was just wondering if i would be better off joining the R.A.F first and then apply for a commercial pilot or to just save and pay up. Would they prefer someone who has been in the Military?

    THANK YOU.

  28. profpilot says:

    Of course the site I recommended was very good. It has badly photoshopped weeping babies scattered around.

    I shouldn’t have thought that any ex-aircrew of the RAF would find it very hard to get a job, but it’s quite difficult to get in to the RAF. Fighter pilot is one of those I-want-to-be-one-of-those-when-I’m-older jobs that fresh faced and dewy eyed youngsters like to say when they’re about six (along with astronaut, firefighter, and a crayon). You can find out more at my RAF article on the subject though. If you’re wanting to go that route, I’d get involved with the Air Cadets or the scouts or something as soon as possible. They seem to like that sort of stuff.

    If on the other hand if you want to save up and go the civilian route, I’d get saving now. Cost from zero to airline level commercial hero, is anything from £30,000 to £50,000. Which is nice.

  29. prinal says:

    thank you for all these advisers, as well as thank you for telling how to get to the job and what are the qualifications and what are the subjects, because as you gays i too have a dream of becoming a pilot therefore thank for all of you for advising me.
    if you all wish could you please help me by giving me the courage
    thank you
    i am Prinal

  30. Luis says:

    hi, ever since i was 10 ive wanted to become a pilot and now decicion time has come. I need to pick my GCSE options. ive done the preliminary options sheet and i chose Geography, Sociology, French and History. I am already fluent in Spanish because my parents are Colombian. Please tell me if my options are correct. Thanks :D

  31. Asif says:

    Hi, I was just wondering as I am starting my PPL in a few months, is there any items that i will need before i go to the flight school, because i dont want to turn up without something important like…. Aviator sunglasses ;) , logbook ect….
    Thnx
    Asif Malik

  32. profpilot says:

    You need to buy everything to get this look;

    Don’t forget the four bars. They’re very important. Then, what to take will depend on your flight school – some require that you show up with the entire inventory of Pooleys, others provide some stuff. So if not provided, you’ll need a map of the area in which you’re flying, flight computer (sadly not as awesome as it sounds), aviator ruler and protractor, chinagraph pencil, kneeboard, airport directory, flight bag, logbook and textbooks of the PPL syllabus. Think that’s everything.

    By the way: do not show up with four bars. You’ll look like a prat.

  33. profpilot says:

    Like it says in the article – there’s no right and wrong subjects to take (at GCSE level anyway). Take what you enjoy! They sound like fine choices.

    Good luck!

  34. plop says:

    hi sam
    do u have to be a certian age to become an airline pilot and will u have more of a chance to become a pilot if u have gcse in physics and maths
    then to someone that has french history and english

  35. mahesh says:

    hi, im a b.e (mechanical) final year student..is it possible to me to become a pilot plz guide

  36. profpilot says:

    Hi plop!

    Sorry for slow reply – having some Internet issues over here. Mercifully Steve Jobs and his tiny phone are helping me to get my Internet fix for now. It does not lend itself well for typing lengthy and drivelly replies on flight training information sites though, so sorry for any weird autocorrects.

    Anyway – to your actual question. You can start applying for pilot jobs as soon as you have finished the whole training shebang. So there are a few 18 year old applicants put there. You can’t ‘unfreeze’ your ATPL until 21 though, so there’ll be no captaining multi crew flights until at least then (although the thought of a 21 year old captain mildly terrifies me). Subject wise: I would strongly recommend getting maths and sciences for GCSE just because they are needed in so many jobs – not just piloting. They’ll also help a lot in terms of understanding what you’re being taught at groundschool. To be honest I don’t know if it will have an impact on employability at that level (but don’t listen to me – I never got a job as a pilot anyway…)

    Hope that helps.

  37. profpilot says:

    It is indeed possible Mahesh!

    Have a mosey over to http://www.profpilot.co.uk/articles/starting-out-questions/how-to-become-a-pilot/
    That will show you a brief outline of what awaits you on this magnificent venture. There are loads of other articles on here that will help too – just have an explore around…

  38. Bee says:

    Hi Profpilot,
    I would love to be a pilot it has been my life long dream but i need glaases, would i still b able to become a pilot if i wore contacts? this has beem my ambition since i can remember i even called the airport when i was 18 months old. Please say that mabey i would somehow be able to fullfill my dream and if i was able to become a pilot would i be able to become one by doing biology instead of physics because i have never studied physics at school but am starting higher Biology, higher Maths, higher English and higher Art soon so would of these be relevant?

  39. profpilot says:

    You can still become a pilot if you wear glasses. You just can’t become an RAF pilot, because if you lose your glasses in the cockpit in that case, you might turn American and start shooting at the wrong targets… Have a peek here to see what the CAA have to say on the matter.

    As it say in the article, it doesn’t really matter what subjects you choose. Just do your best in them!

  40. Toby caswell says:

    Hi I’m 13 years old and since I was young I have wanted to be a pilot can you please tell me what ages you have to be to learn and can you be more specific on the a levels etc needed for piloting also the prices for someone to learn as a complete beginer to learn to become a commercial pilot

  41. profpilot says:

    Toby,

    It doesn’t really matter what specific A-levels you take – do things you’ll enjoy and be good at. If you can do mathsy physicsy stuff then go for it, but it’s not essential. There are a number of different routes to becoming a pilot (more info at http://www.profpilot.co.uk/articles/starting-out-questions/how-to-become-a-pilot/) and these can mean you can get your full licence from £30000 to through to £60000+.

  42. none of you all answer i specific question “what are the qualifications to become a pilot and subjects”
    matsh science geography physics what aare they? thats the questiopn please answer me >!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  43. profpilot says:

    I can’t answer that specific question, because there is no specific answer. Yes maths and physics help when it comes to groundschool and understanding how the aircraft flies, as well as more general skills such as mental arithmetic for when you’re in flight – but they’re not essential. Like I keep saying, do what you enjoy and what you’re good at.

  44. Hassan says:

    Hi I have just left school and worried i have not done good in my gcse’s predicting 6 B’s and 4 C’s and I am also doing my PPL from Blackpool Airport should my grades or this possible outcome be a disaster of becoming an Airline Pilot?

  45. fardin alam says:

    hello prof pilot
    at least how much percent or how much grade in maths and physics
    should be needed to become a pilot
    is it hard to be a pilot?
    well i am a little young to know about this
    but seriously i really want to be a pilot

  46. Anya says:

    Hi prof ,
    I actually want ur advice as I’ve been studying biology and chemistry in As for 2 years in kept getting Us finally my parents got the idea that I suck big time in biology I had enough and to be honest I did study really hard and ended up with an E . So my parents got me an offer in kingston for biomdcal scince with foundation year. They think i should take it and not waste my ‘big chance’

    anyway I’ve always wanted to become a pilot as loved doing geography and physics But I didn’t do geog in gcses (I had to do all since) and for physics I got C , now as I failed for the 2nd time in mt As I’m looking to do foundation year to apply for pilot school.

    Before I do that do you think I have a chance to do it , I honestly want to do what I’ve always dreamed of.

  47. profpilot says:

    Hassan,

    Absolutely it is possible. I know people with those kinds of grades who are now flying around various places. Job market has been the main problem recently (pretty crappy, but it’s looking better). You’ll need to research all this more in order to decide for yourself if it is a risk you want to take – the training is expensive and you can’t exactly go into any other fields once you’ve got it unlike a degree, but it’s great fun.

  48. profpilot says:

    Sounds like a complicated situation Anya. Only yourself and your parents can make a decision like that (hopefully your own choice taking some priority). As you can see from the article, you do not need any specific AS or A levels to become a pilot – although maths and physics would be beneficial, they are not a requirement. The job market is challenging, and quite a lot rides on your ability to fly well – perhaps if you were to book a trial lesson or two at your local airport yo would be able to see if this is something you truly want to be able to do for the rest of your life. It’s a big investment.

  49. mike says:

    hey profpilot. i am training to be a pilot at the moment but is it a requirement to have A-levels or can you get a job without them. because if i go to college i wont be able to do alot of flying so i will need to wait for 2 years, so which is best. going to college or starting my career now as a have a job now. (i am 16 now) thanks :)

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